Manager's failed cocaine test sad message for today's children

Published 7:00 pm, Sunday, March 21, 2010

One of the most shocking stories to come out of the past week was when Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington apologized for failing a Major League Baseball test for cocaine last season.

It appears Washington will keep his job for now and wins and losses will be the ultimate determining factor. Certainly, his admission shortens his leash. Team president Nolan Ryan appears to be leinent on the matter now, but it probably won't take much for Washington to lose favor in Arlington.

Washington said he told the commissioner's office and Rangers management about his cocaine use before the drug test results became known. Washington's contract was extended last year for 2010 before the drug test. His contract expires after this year, which will be his fourth with Texas. Washington has been subject to increased testing since he failed, and said he has passed every subsequent test. He said he has completed the MLB drug treatment program.

Washington has always been considered a player's manager and a manager's player, so this is why this story is making so many waves. This bump in the road for Washington is unsettling at best because it raises so many questions.

Of course, the immediate question is how this news will affect his ability to lead his team. Will he still have the same command importance behind his orders as he did before? Will players still take him seriously?

We think those problems are the least of his worries as long as the organization's leadership stands behind him. But he might have more problems with the Rangers' fan base.

Here's the problem with the fans. Most simply won't believe his story. Washington said, "This was the one and only time I used this drug."

That's a hard pill to swallow for most of us. Washington is 57 years old and it's a little hard to believe he decided to snort a line of cocaine for the first time as he nears the age of 60. Plus, cocaine is basically a drug that was more popular when he was a player than in today's baseball clubhouse.

Yes, this was surprising news out of spring training. It's one thing to see a player fall or stumble, but it is disheartening to see leadership take a hit like this. Maybe we have to teach our kids there really are no heroes. What a sad message to have to leave our children.